The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the start of the trial for two alleged leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, until 15 January 2026.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment after defence counsel B. I. Bakum asked for more time to be formally served with the charges and to study the proof of evidence, which remains with the Department of State Services (DSS), where the suspects are currently detained.
Bakum also requested that his clients be moved from DSS custody to a correctional centre, arguing that such a move would facilitate easier access and ensure a smoother and fair trial.
In opposition, the prosecution, represented by David Kaswe, maintained that the trial should proceed as scheduled. He argued that DSS protocol requires defence lawyers to write formally to the agency for access to their clients — a step he claimed Bakum had not yet taken — and noted that prosecution witnesses were already assembled in court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite sided with the defence’s request for more preparation time, citing the interest of fair hearing, and adjourned the trial to 15 January 2026. He further directed Bakum to always obtain permission from the DSS to visit his clients, with the requirement to copy the prosecutor on such correspondence.
Usman and Abba face a 32-count charge filed by the DSS, including terrorism, kidnapping, unlawful mining, and financing of terrorist operations.
In a previous development, Usman pleaded guilty to Count 10, related to economic crime, and was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. Meanwhile, Abbakur Abba pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Ansaru, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), is an Islamist militant group linked to Al-Qaeda, and has been alleged to have carried out several high-profile attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria.
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